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Life with Principle: Thoreau's Voice in our Time
The
Essence of Henry David Thoreau
and Questions & Answers
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“Today,
when we are bombarded with mass media and the ills of the
21st Century, Thoreau reminds us of the necessity to escape
this cacophony that distracts us from the bedrock truths
and realities of life. He teaches us how to escape, through
nature and solitude, so that we can find the quiet within
ourselves. He teaches us to listen to our inner voice; the
voice of our conscience….”
The
Thoreau Society brings together scholars, educators, and
those from outside academia who love Thoreau and are inspired
by his works. The Society has an educational mission to
bring Thoreau’s ideas to the public. Finally, the
Society helps deepen understanding of Thoreau by collecting,
publishing and preserving his works for generations to come. |
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Questions
and Answers
From Thoreau
Society Members
The Thoreau Society
Q:
Why does Thoreau matter to you?
Answers:
- I love
Thoreau’s writing and his simple use of our language.
- I am in
awe of his accomplishments; writer, ethical thinker, social
critic, proto-environmentalist.
- His raw
truth makes me confront myself.
- His philosophies
force me to continually reassess how I live.
- Thoreau
‘walked the walk’.
- Thoreau
sets an honest example for all of us, especially our young people.
- Appeal
for Thoreau is universal (i.e. King, Gandhi, etc.).
- He is an
immortal part of Concord.
- Thoreau
provides me with challenge to think deeply and act consciously.
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Q:
What are Thoreau’s core ideas?
Answers:
- Thoreau
reminds us to simplify, to judge no one ourselves, to follow
our own path, to
have trust in our intuition, and to listen.
- He reminds
us to have faith ourselves above all else.
- He reminds
us to listen for that different drummer.
- He reminds
us to be awake, aware and alive.
- He provides
us with inspiration to live deliberately.
- He inspires
us to strive to be ethical members of social and natural communities.
- He instills
us with a feeling of voluntary simplicity.
- Thoreau
provides us with spiritual meaning.
- Henry
David Thoreau promotes harmony with the natural world.
- Thoreau
promotes Integrity and consciousness over social conformity.
- Thoreau
is truth in action; not just words.
- He defines
‘Live richly by wanting little’.
- Thoreau
defines the inter-relations of man.
- He brings
a feeling of fairness, of balance.
- Thoreau
teaches us about enjoying and preserving our natural environment.
- He stands
for Individualism, independent and critical thinking.
- Thoreau
provides us with introspection, observation and idealism.
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Q:
What questions does he ask that are significant today?
Answers:
- When will
we stop harming others? -When will we stop harming nature?
- What does
it mean to live; not merely exist?
- What is
the absolute value of the wild?
- Why does
imagination matter?
- What choices
can we make, that make a difference in how we live our lives?
- What are
the duties of the individual to himself, society and nature?
- How do
we know what we want, and how much is enough?
- How will
we act to fight injustice?
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Q:
What does the Thoreau Society offer?
Answers:
- The Society
brings people of diverse backgrounds and areas together so that
they may communicate with like thinkers.
- Provides
scholarship and educational initiatives.
- Brings
communities of people together, who believe that Thoreau’s
ideas matter today.
- Advocates
the gathering and preservation of Thoreau’s ideas and
works.
- Supports
preservation (i.e. Walden Woods), Thoreau’s place of birth.
- The Society
provides introduction of Thoreau’s ideas to new generations.
- Reintroduce
Thoreau’s ideas and ideals to those who may have overlooked
them earlier.
- The Society
provides focus and understanding on Thoreau’s core ideas.
- Intellectual
organization.
- Activist
organization.
- The Society
is interested in the whole of society and the individual.
- Transcendental
friendship.
- The Society’s
activities are national and international.
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